April 17, 2025 | Weekly Newsletter

As we enter Holy Week, we reflect on the ultimate act of empathy: the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In a time when some voices are devaluing empathy, even claiming it to be sinful. Jesus demonstrated profound empathy in His ministry, culminating in His sacrificial love on the cross.

Empathy is not just a feeling; it is a deep, sacred act of compassion. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus reached out to those on the margins, demonstrating that empathy is about entering into the suffering of others and responding with love. As we walk with Jesus through Holy Week, we are called to reflect on the example of Christ.

Jesus taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31), regardless of agreement or similarity. In this time of division, it can be tempting to turn away from others’ pain or to believe that empathy weakens our stance on truth. Yet, the life of Jesus shows us that true strength is found in compassion, not in hardness of heart. Jesus’ empathy was the foundation of His mission to heal a broken world–and we, as His followers, are called to live in this same way.

In these challenging times, the world needs empathy more than ever. We must resist the temptation to build walls around ourselves and instead seek to build bridges with those who are different. Holy Week calls us to reflect on the depth of God’s empathy for us. May we, empowered by the Holy Spirit, live with that same empathy, offering love and understanding to those around us.

This Holy Week, let us embrace the radical empathy that Christ showed, and let it shape our actions toward a more compassionate world.

Together with you in healing a broken world,



Pastor Laura

A Note from Our Online Community

From Fort Worth, Texas

"I’ve found myself coping with all of the current insanity in our country (and at my job) by watching various high-church, United Methodist services from around the country.

I watched your 10 AM worship service on April 6 just now and had to scroll back to experience the closing hymn again. Thanks for facilitating that–it’s reaching far beyond your walls."

This Week in Hennepin History

Written by Phil Wala

On May 22, 1994, Hennepin Church began offering an alternative service at 8:30 AM–a service which later came to be known as "Sacred Journey."

On April 16, 1995, Sacred Journey celebrated its first Easter Service. Now you can listen to that service in its entirety, and follow along in the printed bulletin.

Read More, and See Other Hennepin History

The United Methodist Connection at Work!

Lake Harriet UMC and Dignity Center

Lake Harriet UMC recently created 200 sandwiches for our guests at the Dignity Center.  It took them 20 minutes–what a team!

Give thanks for the power of the bread of life shared from heart to heart.

Soul Café Returns!

Sunday, April 27 at 7 PM in the Art Gallery

Experience the harmony–where jazz, poetry, and spirit come together–in the theme “Seized by Goodness.” Find calm and inspiration in a night of music and reflection.

Soul Café’s curated programs of poetry and jazz celebrate spirituality, art and the spontaneity of live improvisation–featuring a talented jazz ensemble led by guitarist Steve Blons playing music woven together with the writings of celebrated poets. Food for the spirit with an ample portion of joy!

A Justice Negotiation Six Years in the Making

Affirming Full LGBTQIA+ Inclusion

On Monday, Hennepin Avenue UMC (Hennepin) sent a check for $188,000 to the Minnesota Annual Conference.

The check represented a justice negotiation six years in the making.

Effective for the 2019 apportionment year, leaders determined that Hennepin would withhold 13.25% of its annual total apportionments in resistance to the United Methodist Church’s (UMC's) policies prohibiting full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ members and clergy in the life of the church. The intention was to withhold a part of the payment of apportionments to the General Church while fully paying the apportionments to the Minnesota Annual Conference.

At the 2024 General Conference of the UMC (postponed from 2020), changes affirming the full inclusion of all were approved so that Hennepin no longer has objections to supporting the General Church.

At the April Governance Board meeting the Governance Board approved the payment of past withheld apportionments. 

Hennepin is a strong cathedral church committed to the United Methodist movement.

Having stood behind our belief that all people of God are beloved and called to ministry and full inclusion in the Body of Christ and the world, we are moved to bear witness to our belief in the power of our connection to the UMC and the movement of justice grounded in the teachings of Jesus.

We wanted you to know this powerful good news.

We are in the world to give witness to grace.

Signed, 

Rev. Elizabeth Macaulay and the Governance Board 

Betsi Roach, Muria Kruger, Jeff Niblack, Liz Buckingham, Kristin Zinsmaster, Judy Tucker, Larry Dunbar, Chrissy Dahlheimer, Bryan Carter, Sandy Christie, Ginger Sisco

Celebrate and Explore!

50-Year Member Recognition Luncheon on May 2

It’s time to celebrate! You’re invited to attend this year’s 50-Year Member Recognition Luncheon. Come, recognize Hennepin’s newest 50-year members and explore the world of glass artistry from FOCI Minnesota Center for Glass Arts. Executive Director Julie Strand-Blomgren and Gallery Coordinator Emily McBride will highlight the artistry and creative potential of glass. All attending receive a special memento from FOCI. 

Make your reservation by Tuesday, April 22. Read More and RSVP

Share Your Holy Week Moments

by Pastor Laura Hannah

Holy Week at Hennepin is filled with sacred beauty, moving rituals, and unforgettable moments of community. Whether you snapped a photo of communion on Maundy Thursday, the cross on Good Friday, or joyful faces on Easter morning, we’d love to see the week through your eyes. Please share your favorite photos with us by emailing them to communications@haumc.org.

We may feature them in upcoming newsletters, social media, or worship slides. Thank you for helping us tell the story of resurrection through your lens.

Share Your “Why Hennepin” Story

Collecting Short Reflections to Share

Whether you've been part of Hennepin for decades or just found us online recently, you have a story to tell, and we’d love to hear it.

We’re collecting short reflections from our community about what makes Hennepin Avenue UMC meaningful to you. Is it the music? The justice work? A moment of welcome? A deep sense of belonging? Whatever it is, your story can help others find connection and hope. Here’s how you can share:

• Write 1–2 sentences or a short paragraph about why Hennepin matters to you
• If you’re comfortable, include a photo of yourself from your time at Hennepin (past or present!)
• Email it to communications@haumc.org with the subject line “Why Hennepin”

We’ll be sharing these stories on social media in the coming weeks and maybe beyond. The sooner you send yours, the sooner we can celebrate it! Thanks for being part of what makes Hennepin such a vibrant, faithful community.

Celebrating the Lives of Karen Rudeen and Douglass Dunn

"Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted."  Jesus, Matthew 5: 4

Together we name gratitude for the life of Karen Rudeen, who died April 10, 2025. No service information is available at this time.

Together we name gratitude for the life of Douglas Dunn, who died April 13, 2025. Services will be at Hennepin Avenue UMC on Saturday, April 26th at 2:00 PM. Messages of condolence may be sent to Peggy Dunn at peggy.m.dunn@gmail.com

What We Learned Last Sunday

Palm Sunday!

We had a joy-filled parade, made cards for our homebound friends, and learned how Jesus entered Jerusalem–not as a Conqueror, but as a humble servant.

Coming Up This Sunday

April 20: Easter Sunday!

There is no Sunday School on Easter Sunday. Please plan to worship together as a family. Special take-home worship bags will be at each Sanctuary entrance. After worship, join us for our first-time-in-a -long-time Easter Egg Hunt. Stop by the table in the East Entry for instructions. Egg Hunts will happen after both worship services.

To submit event announcements to be published on the public events calendar, please send all the details to communications@haumc.org.

To plan your event, including reserving rooms, email scheduling@haumc.org.

For story ideas or editorial content, you can email commsdirector@haumc.org. All content is subject to the discretion of the editorial team.

Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church www.haumc.org